| Path of Exile 2 | |
| Developer: | Grinding Gear Games |
| Publisher: | Grinding Gear Games |
| Director: | Jonathan Rogers |
| Genre: | Action role-playing |
| Released: | December 6, 2024 (early access) |
| Modes: | Single-player, multiplayer |
Path of Exile 2 is an upcoming free-to-play action role-playing video game developed and published by Grinding Gear Games. A sequel to Path of Exile (2013), the game is set to be released for Windows PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S on December 6, 2024 as a paying early access title.
Like its predecessor, Path of Exile 2 is a top-down action role-playing video game. It introduces a new skill system with 240 active skill gems and 200 support gems. There will be twelve character classes that have three ascendancy classes each. New weapons will be introduced such as spears, crossbows and flail, as well as supplementary items like focuses, traps and redesigned scepters. The passive skill tree will have 2000 skills and will allow dual specialization. A dodge roll movement mechanic will be added. Spirit, a resource used to reserve things like auras, will be utilized. Many other changes such as permanent minions, trigger skills, game engine and graphic improvements, and more, will be a part of the sequel.[1] [2] After completing the six-act storyline, players will gain access to more than 100 endgame maps with their own boss fight and modifiers that enable revamped versions of many of Path of Exiles past leagues.
The early access launch will feature six of the planned twelve classes: Warrior, Monk, Mercenary, Sorceress, Witch, and Ranger. Players can experience the first half of the campaign across two difficulty levels, followed by an evolved endgame system. The remaining classes, including the Druid and Huntress, will be introduced in future updates.[3]
In November 2019, Grinding Gear Games announced the sequel, Path of Exile 2, during their Exilecon conference.[4] The sequel was originally to be a new, seven-act story-line that would be available alongside the original campaign in the original Path of Exile with both the current and new storylines leading to the same shared endgame. Players would have the choice to play the Path of Exile or the sequel campaigns before reaching the same end-game.[5] Players would be able to interact with each other regardless of their choice of campaign. However, in a 2023 announcement, it was revealed that the sequel would now be a separate game from the original Path of Exile with the sequel having a six-act campaign. However, most of the content purchased through microtransactions can be used across both games.[6]
A beta version of Path of Exile 2 was originally expected to release in "very late" 2020.[7] However, it was delayed due to COVID-19 lockdowns in New Zealand, China, and other parts of the world where the outsourcing companies are located.[8] The game is set to be released through early access for Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S on December 6, 2024.[9]